The eldest daughter's scheming, the crown prince's exclusive favor to the venomous concubi

Upon hearing this, Qiu Lingyu thought for a moment, then looked at him and said, "You're right. After all, the person you're looking for is a wanted criminal."

Seeing the man's sharp gaze fixed on her, Qiu Lingyu smiled and met his eyes without fear. While adjusting her clothes and makeup, she continued, "What? Not satisfied? But it's the truth. Don't ask me how I know; just look at my face, you should understand. Some things can't be kept secret just because you don't want to know. But I still don't understand. With your status as a prince of the Northwest, even if you know her, why are you so obsessed with her? And now, is it because she's following me?"

The person following Qiu Lingyu was none other than Chu Tianyi, who had gone out to search for Jian Yue. However, when he saw Qiu Lingyu, he mistook her for Jian Yue. Then, he noticed that the two spoke and acted differently, so he wondered about this person's true identity and whether she posed a threat to Jian Yue. Therefore, he continued to follow her all the way back to the capital city.

Seeing Qiu Lingyu find a secluded spot without any hesitation and begin to undress, Chu Tianyi quickly looked away, staring at the city gate of the capital for a long while before asking, "What exactly is your relationship with her?"

The sound of changing clothes paused for a moment, then resumed with rustling sounds, and then Chu Tian heard Qiu Lingyu's voice.

"What relationship? Can't you see it? Are you out of your mind?"

Chu Tianyi didn't speak, but pursed his lips and frowned. When Qiu Lingyu came out after changing her clothes, she looked at Chu Tianyi and showed him her makeup, asking, "How is it? Are there any flaws?"

Chu Tian shook his head. At this moment, Qiu Lingyu had changed into the clothes of an old woman and transformed into a frail old woman. She bent her body slightly forward and made a hunched back. At a glance, she really looked almost exactly like an old woman.

Chu Tian glanced at it, then turned and walked towards the city gate. Seeing this, Qiu Lingyu quickly followed and muttered, "Why are you walking so fast? We still need to carry the mother and child away."

Upon hearing this, Chu Tian paused for a moment and said, "The mother of the Prince of the Great Northwest would not look like you now. Being able to be a cook by my side would be the best choice for her."

After saying that, he continued walking. Qiu Lingyu smiled and said with amusement, "The people she knows are quite interesting. I really want to meet her in person."

Entering the city was not difficult. Chu Tian showed his waist token and easily led Qiu Lingyu into the city. Then, Qiu Lingyu took advantage of the crowds in the bustling market to shake him off.

Chu Tianyi watched her leave quietly, without any urge to chase after her. Her actions suggested that she had already encountered the person she was supposed to meet. Even if he chased after her now, he would only be stopped and cause more trouble, which would not do him any good.

After thinking for a moment, Chu Tian turned and walked towards the palace. But after taking only two steps, he suddenly turned back, his brows furrowing slightly. He then changed direction and walked towards the small courtyard he had once rented.

The courtyard was still as clean and tidy as it had been when he started walking, without any dust, clearly indicating that someone had been cleaning it regularly.

He walked step by step toward the backyard, but found no one there, so he headed toward the kitchen.

Sure enough, someone was talking in the kitchen.

"Miss, it's heartbreaking to see you working so hard. I don't know what the young master is thinking. How could he turn down such a wonderful young lady? I'm telling you, Miss, why don't you find someone else to like? Why bother liking such a blockhead?"

The old woman who spoke was Chu Tianyi's mother, who had cooked for him before. Ever since she entered this courtyard, she had been cooking and delivering meals to Chu Tianyi, and she had seen that Chu Tianyi didn't care about anything except practicing his sword.

Then she saw the little girl following her around, and even learned to cook so that Chu Tian would take a look at her. Seeing that her hands, which originally had no scars at all, were blistered from the burns, she felt sorry for her.

Who would have thought that this pampered man would leave so suddenly, leaving the little girl crying in the courtyard for two days, which is why her words at this moment contained some resentment.

He Xinle, who was busy wielding a knife to kill a fish, was completely unaware that there was someone outside the kitchen. At this moment, all her mental energy was focused on the fish on the cutting board. After hearing the old woman's words, she smiled and shook her head to refute, "What do you know? Brother Xiao Yi is a hero. What he does is naturally the greatest. He is different from us young ladies."

He had his reasons for leaving, and I believe he will come back. That's why I'm learning to cook so he can have a good home-cooked meal when he returns.

He Xinle didn't know if Chu Tianyi would come back. She was thinking that before returning to the Northwest, she should learn and master the skill of cooking so that she could have a chance to show her face when Chu Tianyi returned to the Northwest.

The reason they were talking to this woman was simply to avoid revealing their identities and causing unnecessary trouble.

Upon hearing this, the woman sighed and said, "Young master is truly a blessed man. I only hope that he will see your efforts and marry you soon. Otherwise, even I, as a servant, feel that you are being treated unfairly."

He Xinle beamed with joy and said, "I will wait until he marries me, don't worry about that. By the way, I've already prepared the fish, what's next?"

"Oh, is that so, Miss, you see..."

Watching He Xinle busily working with the old woman, Chu Tianyi silently withdrew from the kitchen and went to the front yard, where he always practiced his sword.

However, when he drew his sword, he had no intention of wielding it. He looked at the broken tip of the sword, a look of confusion in his eyes.

Jian Yue slept soundly through the night and woke up early the next morning. Instead of getting out of bed, she lay there with great interest, listening to the argument outside.

The two voices arguing were very familiar. One was Qiu Lingfeng, whom she had met yesterday, and the other was Yue Leyun, with whom she had a grudge for two lifetimes.

Qiu Lingfeng had prepared to come early in the morning to cause trouble for Jian Yue and see clearly whether she was really Shangguan Jian Yue. However, just as she was about to head to Qing Su Zhai, she encountered Yue Leyun on the way.

She was taken aback for a moment, and then saw Yue Leyun walking towards her with a smile, saying affectionately as she walked: "Last time we parted, Leyun missed you very much, and wondered how heartbroken you would be after what happened to you. I never expected to meet you here in the Crown Prince's residence today."

Seeing how refreshed and energetic she looked, walking briskly, it's clear that the matter is over. Congratulations!

These words were spoken with great sincerity, and Yue Leyun's eyes also held a genuine expression, but Qiu Lingfeng felt uncomfortable no matter how she listened.

Even if the other party said this with utmost sincerity, she is now the Crown Prince's future concubine. How could she allow anyone to tarnish her reputation? Thinking of this, Qiu Lingfeng immediately showed no respect to Yue Leyun and said directly, "Miss Yue, please don't talk nonsense. My relationship with the Crown Prince cannot afford any trouble. If something happens because of Miss Yue's words, I believe the Prime Minister will also be in a difficult position."

Upon hearing this, Yue Leyun's eyes flashed with a hint of ruthlessness, but the corners of her mouth turned up with a touch of naivety as she blinked and said, "What exactly do you mean by that, sister? I was just concerned. How did it involve His Highness the Crown Prince?"

Although you and His Highness are about to consummate your marriage, you cannot be arrogant. You are merely a concubine; how dare you presume to act like the principal wife?

Qiu Lingfeng's eyes immediately flashed with anger as she looked at Yue Leyun. However, Yue Leyun suddenly smiled and said brightly, "Sister, please don't mind what Leyun said. But rules are rules. We can't be ignorant of everything, or we'll disgrace the Crown Prince's status."

The Empress already proposed marriage to my father the day before yesterday, and the Emperor has already agreed. The imperial decree will be issued soon. From now on, my sister and I will be spending a lot of time together. That's why Yueyun came to visit today, wanting to discuss the rules of the household with the Crown Prince.”

Qiu Lingyu was taken aback and asked, "You mean the Emperor wants to bestow a marriage upon you and the Crown Prince? And you'll be a concubine?"

Yue Leyun shook her head, pretending to be confused as she adjusted the hairpin in her hair, and said, "I don't know either. It's just that my heart is full of love for His Highness. I don't really care about status. Whether I'm a concubine or not, it doesn't really matter to me!"

However, given the Emperor's bestowal of this marriage, and considering my father's rank and the Crown Prince's high regard for me, her status is uncertain. Besides, Le Yun is still young, so I'll need my elder sister to take good care of things in the household from now on.”

Qiu Lingyu suddenly grabbed the hem of her dress with both hands, her eyes filled with coldness. Yue Leyun saw this and sneered inwardly, but pretended to be concerned and asked, "Sister, what's wrong? Why do you look so unhappy? So early in the morning, did some servant do something wrong and anger you?"

If a weaver girl were to enter the household, she would still be considered superior. But if Yue Leyun were to enter the household, she would even be able to take the position that rightfully belonged to her.

Especially since this woman witnessed her most vulnerable moment, and now that the two of them are vying for the same person, wouldn't all of her secrets be exposed to the other?

Even though she had concealed it perfectly, she was still nervous and angry at Yue Leyun's provocation.

What is this? Is it a notice from the principal wife to the concubine? Or is it a blatant sarcasm and mockery of her?

How could she be willing to accept that?

Qiu Lingyu turned to look at Yue Leyun, whose charming smile made the morning glow vanish instantly, turning into a sky full of dark clouds.

Why are Yue Leyun and Shangguan Jianyue all circling around her? Why won't they leave her alone?